Have you ever feel overwhelmed with the number of choices in a coffee shop? Single or double shot? Regular or grande? Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte? Decaf or Regular? How about getting a cup of coffee that tastes burnt, or a latte that tastes diluted?

I am not addicted to coffee. However, once in a while, I would like to drink a cup of good Latte (Espresso + Milk). To make good coffee, use fresh coffee beans, fresh filtered water and a powerful coffee machine.

After much research, I settled with the most compact machine with the most “power” that costs the least. Since I like the creaminess in a cup of coffee, I also bought a milk frother. Both of these gadgets can be easily stored away in my pantry. It is very easy to use and cleanup is a breeze.

How can such a small machine produce such good coffee? The secret lies in the pods. Each pod contains coffee grounds to make a cup of Espresso. The different pod colors represent different type, strength or intensity of the coffee. These pods are samples that came with the coffee machine. If there is a particular strength of coffee that I like, I make a note of the color and name on that pod and order it online.

A good cup of Espresso (black coffee) has the presence of crema, a reddish-brown foam that floats on the surface of the espresso. Because of its intense concentrated flavor, Espresso is the base for making Lattes (pour espresso first into cup then pour hot milk over it) and Cappuccino (fill cup with hot milk first, add espresso and top with milk froth). The proportion is 2/3 milk and 1/3 espresso.

If you like Hazelnut Lattes, just buy Hazelnut syrup and add it at the bottom of your serving cup. A little goes a long way because the syrup is very sweet.

No problem. I am not sure if I feel suffocated in my lungs but at times I do feel I can’t breathe. I have had this breathing problem since I was a little girl. It usually happens when I am studying. I used to ask my younger sister to read to me because of my breathing problem when I study. (That sister in particular is 4 years younger than me and she is now a radiation oncologist.)

Shoulder Tendonitis is part of my life now. I praise God because often times, I don’t even feel the pain because I am busy with the kids, housework and blogging. I injured my shoulder at work, repetition or overuse. Working at a computer desk that was not straight made it worst.

I don’t know if my breathing problem has anything to do with my shoulder tendonitis, I am guessing it may be just allergies. I have been to the doctors before and they always tell me I am healthy! Your husband needs to go to a doctor. If it is shoulder tendonitis, it may get worse. At one point, the pain spread to my neck and my whole right arm.

Pods are hip now. I like it because the cleanup is easy (just throw the pod away). It is also simple to brew a cup of coffee using pods, just insert the pod and push the button.

Opened packages of ground coffee lose their flavor when they are exposed to the air. However, since each pod is only opened at the time of brewing, freshness is guaranteed, for every single cup. You only open the pod that you drink, so no waste.